UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is ready to take on one of the biggest fights ever as he eyes pound-for-pound best Islam Makhachev.
Topuria is fresh off his first title defence against BMF champion Max Holloway and the fighter is certain that a matchup with Islam Makhachev will prove who the No 1 pound-for-pond fighter in the world is. Topuria is not opposed to punching above his weight class and has been persistent about setting a super fight with Makhachev as he guns for the top spot on the P4P list.
In an interview with Fox Sports Australia, Topuria spoke about his request and his willingness to see it through.
“Me, personally, what I want to do is move up to 155 because I know that I can become a two-weight world champion,” Makhachev said. “Islam, he’s a great fighter, he’s the No. 1 pound-for-pound for the people.
“For me, it’s me, myself, I’m the best fighter in the world, so I know that I can do with him whatever I want to do, because I know that I am much better than him.”
Although Topuria only has one title defence under his belt, the fighter is open to moving up the division and possibly gaining a second belt.
“This is something that I want to do,” Topuria said. “The UFC knows that. But at the end of the day, this is something that the UFC decides because they know how to run the business. They know how to do it, they have a lot of experience, so if they tell me that they want me to keep defending the belt in the 145 division, maybe I will do that. But if they let me go up to 155, I will do that also.”
If Topuria decides to remain at 145 pounds, he has a long list of potential challengers to choose from. Although it is currently unconfirmed, there have been rumors of a rematch with Volkanovski in the works. “El matador” also has some fresh challengers Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev but for now, he has his sight locked on Makhachev.
“I think Diego deserves it more because Movsar has more fights in the UFC, but he has eight fights, eight decisions, [one] by split decision, you need to finish someone,” Topuria said. “Do something, do something relevant, put yourself in that spot and why not? We can do it. But if you don’t finish anyone, I fight for the fans.
“I fight to entertain the fans, and I need someone inside the cage to be entertained. I don’t need someone who is only looking for the win and grab you and this and that, which he wouldn’t be able to do that with me, I would knock him out in the first round, but I need someone to hype up the fight.”
Makhachev on the other hand is under a month removed from his submission win against late-notice replacement Renato Moicano. Moicano (20-6-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) had stepped in for No. 1 lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan (22-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who suffered a back injury during the final hours of his weight cut that resulted in their fight being scrapped before UFC 311.
